Following on from Smuzzy's thread when his attempt at doing a deal on an LC ended up with him coming out with a twin cam ADV, I thought I'd post my thoughts on the difference.
I was in California last week relaxing after another Alaska trip and of course ended up riding most days even after 8500 miles in 4 weeks but I digress. My 1200ADV is a 56 plate with 98500 on the clock and is still going like a train but I would like to retire the old girl from the big trips now. I'll keep it though as it's loaded with memories.
The dealer we use to load bikes in Santa Rosa CA very kindly lent me his LC demo for the day and then a friend in SF lent me her 4000 mile 2012 TC for a few days after that. It's not what you know etc etc so it was great time to see which one I would want next.
The LC was first and I thought it was a brilliant bike. There were no issues with gear changing etc and the power delivery was superb and very, very addictive. It actually felt more like a supermoto on the twisty roads out there and it was next to impossible to use it all. The brakes were very impressive as I'm no fan of ABS and all the complexity but I have to say, they were excellent and apparently, the ABS is very advanced and you just don't notice it. Lovely handling, crisp response and a comfy ride all added up to a great day. The technology is all very clever and seems to do what it says on the tin but perhaps a fully loaded one would be a bit much for me. Couldn't stop smiling for a day after because it was up there with one of the best bikes I've ridden.
Next day, I shot off down to my friends place and picked up her 1200TC. I was expecting to be underwhelmed after the LC but that was not the case. I've only ridden a TC for a short distance so I didn't know what the difference from mine would be. In short, the bike is very very close to the LC in the real world with excellent power delivery and sweet handling with the ESA and Anakee 2's. I have an ADV so again, the size matters and the GS felt light and nimble. I'm thinking an ADV wouldn't be so nimble but no matter. I did about 750 miles on it mostly on the PCH and surrounding and can honestly say that nowhere did I think the LC was really much better apart from the screen. I'm not a huge fan of the horse power race and I really thought the TC was about right for real world riding and not the world of Journo's who think power is all.
My need is for a bike for distance and varied road conditions and although I'd had thoughts of a LC ADV when it appears, I really can't see the extra benefit for my particular needs. The LC seems to be more in teh league of KTM, Ducati and Triumph who have all made sports bikes with big bars and called them Adventure bikes. For me, the TC has the right combination of power and more importantly proven reliability so it will be on my shopping list early next year. There is no doubt the LC is a terrific bike and I fully understand why people are loving them and above all it's still feels like a GS which I think is important.
As an aside, I've ridden the Explorer and the Multi Strada and LC is better than either of those in every department except all out power in my opinion.
I was in California last week relaxing after another Alaska trip and of course ended up riding most days even after 8500 miles in 4 weeks but I digress. My 1200ADV is a 56 plate with 98500 on the clock and is still going like a train but I would like to retire the old girl from the big trips now. I'll keep it though as it's loaded with memories.
The dealer we use to load bikes in Santa Rosa CA very kindly lent me his LC demo for the day and then a friend in SF lent me her 4000 mile 2012 TC for a few days after that. It's not what you know etc etc so it was great time to see which one I would want next.
The LC was first and I thought it was a brilliant bike. There were no issues with gear changing etc and the power delivery was superb and very, very addictive. It actually felt more like a supermoto on the twisty roads out there and it was next to impossible to use it all. The brakes were very impressive as I'm no fan of ABS and all the complexity but I have to say, they were excellent and apparently, the ABS is very advanced and you just don't notice it. Lovely handling, crisp response and a comfy ride all added up to a great day. The technology is all very clever and seems to do what it says on the tin but perhaps a fully loaded one would be a bit much for me. Couldn't stop smiling for a day after because it was up there with one of the best bikes I've ridden.
Next day, I shot off down to my friends place and picked up her 1200TC. I was expecting to be underwhelmed after the LC but that was not the case. I've only ridden a TC for a short distance so I didn't know what the difference from mine would be. In short, the bike is very very close to the LC in the real world with excellent power delivery and sweet handling with the ESA and Anakee 2's. I have an ADV so again, the size matters and the GS felt light and nimble. I'm thinking an ADV wouldn't be so nimble but no matter. I did about 750 miles on it mostly on the PCH and surrounding and can honestly say that nowhere did I think the LC was really much better apart from the screen. I'm not a huge fan of the horse power race and I really thought the TC was about right for real world riding and not the world of Journo's who think power is all.
My need is for a bike for distance and varied road conditions and although I'd had thoughts of a LC ADV when it appears, I really can't see the extra benefit for my particular needs. The LC seems to be more in teh league of KTM, Ducati and Triumph who have all made sports bikes with big bars and called them Adventure bikes. For me, the TC has the right combination of power and more importantly proven reliability so it will be on my shopping list early next year. There is no doubt the LC is a terrific bike and I fully understand why people are loving them and above all it's still feels like a GS which I think is important.
As an aside, I've ridden the Explorer and the Multi Strada and LC is better than either of those in every department except all out power in my opinion.
That about sums it up. I enjoyed all three twin cams I had, but for me, the LC is perfect.
), I explained my experience to the really helpful salesman who offered me another great deal on there ex demo LC and convinced me to take it out for a few hours to get a good feel for the bike, I did and to be honest was impressed with there bike but was still not as suited to me as the TC, 
but for me at the moment The TC Rallye is the one for Me 
The 1190 is an exceptional bike! Please, please test ride one if you're thinking about a new GS or any dual-purpose bike.
